Beginning at a very exciting start as my collaboration with local neighbourhood cafe & bar Two Spoons in Honor Oak Park, South East London, was coming to an end. I was preparing myself to stand up to one of my greatest fears yet. And that is public speaking! So with the help of the super talented Shannon Reed, Founder of her small business, Mockingbird Makes. We joined forces to bring you an evening of creative talks delivered by myself and Shannon, telling all of the many ways creativity can hold so many benefits for our mental health. Through this event, Shannon and I proudly supported Place2Be, a national charity providing emotion support to children in schools.
This year, I began feeling more open to the many ways I could communicate my own mental health journey through the means of simply talking about it, but also through the makings of my artwork.
Which lead me to contributing selected works and my own spoken words to the cause of Creative Voices Mind back in June at Bell House in East Dulwich and December at Off the Cuff in Herne Hill for their events. All leading up to my very first appearance on the Creative Voices Mind stage, keeping my mind and heart open, sharing my story of my practice as an artist. As well as, the journey I am making as an individual bringing awareness to mental health. September
was an exciting month, from the taking part in the South London Biz Instagram Challenge, co-created by Social Media Marketting Consultants, Sophie Bradley and Anna Skipwith. To heavy preparations towards the upcoming Nunhead Art Trail at the end of the month. Here's a sneak peek into one of the day's of the South London Biz Challenge, where the topic was 'Why South London?' 
I’m a south London bird through and through! I was born in Lewisham Hospital and grew up in Honor Oak Park. Early in the summer last year, I moved out of my family home in with my partner and his family, in East Dulwich. Cannot believe that year has flown by already!! 😮
And to think during that year, so much was happening. New chapters were beginning, full of new and the old friendly and supportive faces, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting along the way. Some of which, I have even had the further pleasure of working with, including @space_at61 @mockingbird_makes @migcatering @katieiacovouceramics @justacard @s.e_sussed @writesparks @twospoonslondon and @jeannieaventgallery and many more! Some of those new chapters included making a few hard decisions, to make key changes in the way I held my practice as an artist together, which benefited in so many ways. Allowing me to have a greater understanding of myself and my style as an artist, but most importantly how my practice could make an healthy and rewarding impact on me for the sake of my own grounding and wellness. Therefore, making room for new exciting opportunities to come. But South London to me, is so much more. It’s vibrancy warmth and richness in community spirit is what draws and inspires me the most. To be surrounded by so many people, so willing to support and raise each other up to such lengths, through the voices of their own local indie businesses. As the time goes on, the support we give and receive to one another in this amazing community, is the thing that breaks down the fences between each of us and cuts away the limitations life can throw in our direction. South London is a gift to us all, full of so many amazing people and places to see! You’ll never get bored (because there’s always another coffee spot you haven’t tried!) 😂 . But in this way, through #communityovercompetition we’ve brought ourselves closer together not just as indie business owners but as we are as people. #loveourcommunity ❤️ 
One thing you should know about me, is that I love to support my local community of makers, artists, independent shops and small business owners. And this year, I have gone home many a time with a smile on my face, knowing I have helped small business owners achieve a smoother and a very successful day!
Now, as a supporter of small business, campaigns and communities, like Just A Card, RyeHereRyeNow and FeatureFifteen, my creativity is not confined to the canvas. As I use my imagination, to come up with collaborations and ideas of ways of supporting other businesses in a way that helps me to grow. 
Left: Me, Laura Hepworth Conceptual Artist. Right: George Rendall, Owner & Founder of Lane Eight Coffee on Melbourne Grove, in East Dulwich.
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2019 was a year to remember for so many reasons.
Full of learning and growing through the many exhibitions and events, I had been working towards through the collaborations I have hosted with other local independent business owners. So here's to the journey I made yesteryear and to the path I'm taking now into this new decade! 
As one collaboration ends, another started with local ceramicist, Katie Iacovou. After meeting Katie for the first time, when she won a piece of my artwork in a giveaway, it became clear very early on, we had some things in common. One of these things happened to be our shared love of Cornwall. From late January, we set out on our collaborative journey leading up to a collection of works influenced by our love of the Cornish Coast on show to the public at the Jeannie Avent Gallery in East Dulwich, in July/August.
In the six to seven months leading up to the exhibition Katie and I had both pushed ourselves to raising each other up and pushing all kinds of boundaries within our own disciplines, on and off of social media. As well as, getting to know each other and each other's families along the way too! Throughout the duration of the exhibition I saw some extremely difficult moments in my own family life and if it hadn't been for the kindness, endless giggles and support shown by Katie, I would of found that time much more unbearable to see through. I would also like to say a huge thank you for all the amazing support from our families, friends and amazing local businesses in our community. You have all made the journey Katie and I have taken through 'Land Over Sea' all the more rewarding! 
1st Left: Me Laura Hepworth (in red), 2nd Left: Claudine of Snuffle & Spud (in yellow). 1st Right: Shannon Reed of Mockingbird Makes (in blue), 2nd Right: Anna Skipwith Co-creator of SouthLondonBiz at Nunhead Art Trail 2019.
My big debut to Nunhead Art Trail 2019, was a big hit!During the final weekend of September, us ladies had the most beautifully shared experience. As we brought all the stops, from pompom making, to original expressionist artwork and the ultimate cuteness of Snuffle & Spud's baby grows.
With these two amazing ladies Claudine (in yellow) to your left, standing next to me with Shannon (in her favourite shade of blue!) to your right of the photograph. We were the ultimate team all unconsciously linked in our bright flashes of colour. We all had such a blast meeting, chatting and helping so many amazing people, thank you for all your support and for visiting us! 
11 MELBOURNE GROVE, EAST DULWICH SE22 8RG.
Since October 2019, I have partnered up with local neighbourhood coffee shop owner, George Rendall of Lane Eight Coffee, as their permanent artist in residence, bringing my artwork to the walls of his little spot of tranquillity on Melbourne Grove in East Dulwich. Stop by sometime for a coffee, say hello and check out what's left of the current instalment of artwork at the shop, before the new collection is installed on Saturday 1st February 2020 Come and see it for yourself, we would love to hear your feedback! 
Life Force: Defining Line (2019) 70x60cm at Lane Eight Coffee, in East Dulwich.
 Shannon Reed, Founder of Mockingbird Makes at her stall for the East Dulwich Christmas Cracker 2019.
As seen in the photograph above, I have volunteered to support independent Shannon Reed of Mockingbird Makes through the lending an extra pair of hands on her stalls. As well as, helping you, members of the public to make your own pompoms! Small acts such as these, provide the opportunities and time for independents like Shannon to connect and to greet new and returning clients, encouraging new connections, opportunities, sales and most importantly. Building a more enhanced interaction between the maker and client! 
Just A Card is such an incredible cause, and one so valued and beneficial to all creatives and indie businesses, in this day and age. Anything that encourages people to support us is worth a great deal. And in a way, which helps all of us, as fellow makers, indie business owners and artists help each other to learn new things from one another as well.
This helps us to reach new milestones together to build up a stronger more stable foundation as a collective and community, and one that has the creative industry at the heart of it. So start supporting your local artists, makers, entrepreneurs with local businesses today, by buying just a card, a piece of art, a bespoke make or cup of coffee. You are keeping an independent and their passion alive! You can follow the Just A Card Campaign's journey on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @justacard Twitter @Justacard1 |
Working towards a greater awareness of our connection to the natural world.
FROM THE MAKINGS OF MINI WEBS TO THE DESIGN OF YOUR OWN UNIVERSE, OR IMMERSE YOURSELF WITH THE MARK MAKING WORKSHOP, EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH MARKS. LET THE ART DO THE TALKING FOR YOU.
FROM THE MAKINGS OF MINI WEBS TO THE DESIGN OF YOUR OWN UNIVERSE, OR IMMERSE YOURSELF WITH THE MARK MAKING WORKSHOP, EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH MARKS. LET THE ART DO THE TALKING FOR YOU.
These workshops are suitable for all ages and perfect for teaching primary KS2 science in a fun and innovative way.
Workshop Activities Include:
- Mini Web Making
- Formation Drawing
- Galaxy Formation Print Making
- Mark Making
